The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-24

fault that Jean did not 70 too. aud
the Princess asked her often, but fol
some reason or other-prejudice
rercy said-Miss Hanbury had no,
taken to the stranger.
And she is a stranger" Jean
said to herself, with tears in her
pretty eyes, and we know nothing
about her, and l cannot trust her
but she is beautiful, and she will
turn Pcrcy's head, and / cannot say
word, and mother is less than nc
use, and beside she is up in Scotland
and oh, dearl-perhaps | am selfish,
but if she takes my boy from me,
what shall | de2"
Poor pretty Jeanl Perhaps there
was not so much danger after all.
However, it was all very dreadful,
aud jean was very unhappy about
it, and she dwelt upon her trouble.
There was so much about the
Princess that was calculated to make
q man fall in love with her-her won +.
derful beauty, her luminus eyes. her
sweet voice. Then she had many
attributes which Jean knew must be
particularly attractive to Percy-Che
air of mystery by which she was sur.
rounded, her knowledge Cor pre-.
tended knowledge) Of the unseen,
aud her music.
The tears stood in Jeans eyes still,
and from down stairs she heard the
faint playing Of a piano. All, that
soft aud wistful music was il draw.
ing her brother from her now?
Percy was standing among the
palms and leaning over the top of
the piano. Princess Poppea was
playing very softly. She was looking
up, but not at him, and in the great
dark eyes there was certain melan-
choly that suggested that the sounds
that her fingers evoked came from
her heart. She sighed gently and
ceased playing.
You feel your music" Percy said
in a low voice.
Feel itW she echoed. do | not 4?
1t is for me an outlet, and it con.
soles me. Did that please you? |
had brain fever once. | was delir-
ious. | saw strange sights, and |
wandered over the face OF the earth.
| had q sort Of trance. They said
that | was dying-dead, once, but |
was not and | recovered. After.
ward L played that. 1t describes
what | saw and heard, and have
but to play it to see and hear once
more. l wonder whether it has any
meaning for you"
She put her white hands upon the
keys and played again. Percy shut
out the world and tried TO make his
mind for the moment blank that he
might be ready to receive impress.
sivns. But what the Princese pop.
psa played puzzled him. Ii was In
varying time, with bright changes
from the minor to the major key, aud
sad lapses from mirth to gloom.
There was curious sense Of nspres-
sion and subduedness through the
whole.
The music ceased 6ruptly, and
the Princess looked up at him in
silence.
II scarcely understand" Percy
said slowly. "ltis beautiful, and an
idea is conveyed. Ii suggested to me
q bird flying with Weighted wings, .
man running In chains
The Princess smiled.
You have understood" she said.
partly. In the fancies OF delirium
there are the strong powers of him
drance, if you know what | mean,
that are familiar in nightmare. But
you do not grasp all. Had you
played | should have known more.
A clergyman preached q sermon and
afterward played it to his wife. She
recognized il. l believe that to be
possible. 1 should have recognized
it-you, no."
Percy shook his head.
The sermon, 10 be sure, was more
narrative than dissertation or argu.
meat" added Princess Poppma par.
enthetically.
She rose as she spoke and crossed
the room; she moved gracefully. She
wore black tonight, and by contrast
the white OF her neck and arms seem.
ed 70 CLEAN in the brightly lighted
room. She went TO the windows aud
threw them open, aud the air came
coolly in.
DO you know anything Of dia.
monds2' she said presently. II picked
up this today 10 the street, aud wheth-
er il is only bit OF glass or real |
cannot tell.
She held out ring as she spoke,
set with a single stone.
ut looks good" said Percy; IL
believe you have got ind Prin-
cess.
Only IL il is real" said Princess
Poppel; "ol course | shall have to
advertise for the owner. | wish |
knew. 1 could tell, | think, IL | saw
il beside az undoubted stone"
Then | will fetch what you call
an undoubted stone," said Percy.
lie lett the room aud presently re.
turned with his mothers diamonds.
Good gracious, Mr.. Hanburyl
how magnificent" cried the Prin.
cess; and she went into raptures over
the jewels. Beside them the doubt.
full stone showed itself worthless at
once. And do you mean 10 say you
keep these in the house3" asked the
Princess.
Temporarily" answered Han.
bury.
1T seems risky, does Il not2 But
| suppose you have q strong boKi"
mo" said Percy. IL keep them
locked up in a drawer in my sisters
wardrobe. IL has a good lock; l
think they are safe; aud then | keep
the hey myself
at should assuredly be a good
lock-" said the Princess. These
are worth a fortune. But Of course
a good lock makes them safe. You
should have a unique key"
Percy took up the case, prepare.
tory 10 taking IL back, aud he singled
out the key on his bunch-a long key
with no other popularity.
IL looks ordinary enough, he said ;
NHa..waR - lnn. q. II s.La anad